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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 1999  > January  >
In the Laboratory
Inquiry-Based Approach to a Carbohydrate Analysis Experiment
Edward G. Senkbeil
Salibury State University, Department of Chemistry, Henson School of Science and Technology Salisbury, MD 21801-6860

Cover
January 1999
Vol. 76 No. 1
p. 80

Abstract
The analysis of an unknown carbohydrate in an inquiry-based learning format has proven to be a valuable and interesting undergraduate biochemistry laboratory experiment. Students are given a list of carbohydrates and a list of references for carbohydrate analysis. The references contain a variety of well-characterized wet chemistry and instrumental techniques for carbohydrate identification, but the students must develop an appropriate sequential protocol for unknown identification. The students are required to provide a list of chemicals and procedures and a flow chart for identification before the lab. During the 3-hour laboratory period, they utilize their accumulated information and knowledge to classify and identify their unknown. Advantages of the inquiry-based format are (i) students must be well prepared in advance to be successful in the laboratory, (ii) students feel a sense of accomplishment in both designing and carrying out a successful experiment, and (iii) the carbohydrate background information digested by the students significantly decreases the amount of lecture time required for this topic.
More Information
*  Citation
Senkbeil, Edward G. J. Chem. Educ. 1999 76 80.
*  Keywords
Biochemistry; Laboratory Instruction; Carbohydrates; Qualitative Analysis
*  History
Created:
Last Updated:
June 15, 1999
June 22, 2005
  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 1999 > January > Page 80


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